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About this project

Information of the section Saxony of Interplast Germany e.V.

In the Rugwa region, within a radius of 600 km around Sumbawanga, there is only one specialist in surgery. Other disciplines do not exist. Therefore, we have decided to hold specialists in plastic surgery (severe burn contractions and oral and maxillofacial malformations), visceral surgery (thyroid disorders, inguinal hernia), orthopedics (club feet, fractures, periostitis), physiotherapy, gynecology and obstetrics during the assignments ,

Medical care in Tanzania has become worse than better in recent years. In 1994, there were still 23 specialists (doctors and nurses) for 10,000 people in use, so there were six in 2012. This is an unsatisfactory situation. We have decided to support the project in Sumbawanga on a permanent basis.

Our local contacts, Superior Sr. Yasinta Rugabadi, Dr. Ing. Kenneth Yona and dr. Jipemba Salem prepare the missions. We are in daily contact. Our contacts have set up a registry for patients. From this a preselection takes place. This leads to an average of 250 patients who are patiently waiting for us upon our arrival. Often, all the money is spent to get to Sumbawanga. The clinic and team members support the patients who have no money for the return trip. In general, the patient would have to pay $ 450 for surgery. The operations are carried out by us free of charge.

Since 2010, we have been able to successfully operate 3,200 patients in 19 operations. The teams consist of a strong, experienced core team, complemented by younger professionals. In and around Dresden, we now have a pool of 40 active friends who actively and passively support us. From North Rhine-Westphalia, the Netherlands and Austria, another 15 members are joining. Everyone takes leave for work and works voluntarily and free of charge, never less than 14 hours a day.

The material equipment of the clinic is very modest. For example, children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 65, pregnant women and HIV-positive people are treated for free. This is at the expense of the overall budget. In terms of our work, this means that for 140 to 180 operations per use, we would consume about 80% of the hospital's annual needs. Against this background, we repeatedly collect material in Germany and bring it to Tanzania. Without these donations, the stakes would not be possible. In addition, more and more material is procured locally.

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